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@teleclimber self hosting isn't a business model, partly because it's unfeasible for people. That's why we have service models: they make money and people can use them.
We can though eliminate the need for self hosting and service models using #p2p as in #AutonomiDweb which eliminates the need for domains, hosting and no need for deep pockets in order to reach global scale.
@happyborg I don't think p2p is suitable for all use cases. It's a fantastic tech and I hope it continues to evolve, but to say that self-hosting is pointless because p2p / local-first is coming is incorrect.
@teleclimber I'm not saying it can do everything yet, but it can already do a lot. You can deploy websites and build dynamic web apps that anyone can use with an enabling app and their standard browser.
Builders can use standard tooling and their existing web skills. I have a Publii blog which anyone can view if they are running the #AutonomiDweb app.
The same blog is deployed on regular web hosting here and includes a recent summary of what is available already:
@happyborg Even when fully baked I don't think p2p is the ideal model for many apps. Client-server architectures have the advantage that the client can be thin, meaning that people can buy cheap phones and still have good functionality. The server can be cheap too: a powerful mini-pc is far cheaper than a correspondingly powerful phone. Pushing everything to the client to get rid of the server makes the power of that device critical, and that makes it very expensive. Bonus: on a mini-pc in the home you can plug in an external drive to boost storage, or a GPU or dedicated inference device to run open source models if you want to.
P2P / local-first are great, and I want to see more of them, but to dismiss servers and self hosting is a bit premature.
@teleclimber
The client server model has failed us though. I recall when it seemed a positive development and was part of that, yet what has followed is a direct result of the model allowing centralisation and capture, and also created major vulnerabilities both technical and political.
I think it is critical to have an alternative and that #p2p can do much. I accept your points and using a very low budget phone myself, I am aware that it isn't just p2p that is a problem for users like me.
@teleclimber Yes, p2p and client-server have pros and cons.
I think the latter are well understood but that people have little idea how far #p2p has come and how important many of its advantages are these days.
So much of what is failing or being undermined today can be rectified by kicking the client-server habit. And this can be done without developers throwing away existing web tooling or skills.
More people need to hear about this, or better give it a try
A space for Bonfire maintainers and contributors to communicate
